Spotlight AVID student: Kellie Medrano

Victoria College freshman Kellie Medrano started sniffling halfway through her speech before the Victoria school board Thursday night.

"My parents were separated, and I lived with my mom," Medrano said. "I didn't want to make the mistake of my dad being disappointed in me for making bad grades."

The Victoria East High School graduate said it wasn't until joining the Advancement Via Individual Determination program that she felt like she mattered.

"AVID made me understand that everybody falls, but that it's the rise that counts," Medrano said.

Medrano graduated with a 3.6 GPA and in the top 20 percent of her class. With the help of her teachers and mentors, Medrano said, she earned more than $8,000 in college scholarships, including the $500 Gayla Capers Scholarship given by AVID.